Design has a real impact on our lives . But most of us , we try to use
design in different ways . You can use it in fashion , culinary , architectural
and many other departments . Also some objects can be classified by their
functionality . The study of functionality in design is called Ergonomics . It
derives from two Greek words : ergon , meaning work , and nomoi , meaning
natural laws , to create a word that means science of work and a person’s
relationship to that work .
On
my second trip to MOMA NYC , I visited the Architecture and Design Galleries
from the third floor . I was astonished by two piece of art , with great design
and high functionality . One of them is part of an architectural design . Was
the presentation of the “ Bibliothèque
Nationale de France “ from Paris that was designed by Henri Labrouste .
The high ceiling , the architectural design , the paintings and the big windows
combined together are fabulous and I consider that this building has high
functionality and makes it very ergonomic . The other work of art that
surprised me in a good way was a solar system panel called “ GROW “ , design by Samuel Cabot
Cochran and Benjamin Wheeler Howes from
SMIT Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology USA . Is practically a
hybrid-energy delivery device that generates solar and wind power . I find the
idea very ergonomic and I think this piece of art has high functionality .
However , I was surprised to see some pieces of art with low
functionality but with great design . What caught my attention was “ Earthquake
Proof Table “ by several designers from Israel . It’s a steel and birch plywood
table . Was design for earthquakes , changing the regular tables design to be
able to resist under the toughest circumstances . Beside the great design , I
think has a low functionality . Especially in this country where earthquakes
are not so common , and if they occur
the magnitude is low . To be more
ergonomic , the table can be used on a daily basis in Japan where is not a
single day without an earthquake . Another interesting design I found on
Martin’s Ruiz de Azua work of art , “
Basic House “ . This piece is a house made of extra-light material and folds
like a handkerchief . Can be practical if used like a shelter by homeless people . Is not that popular , probably because has
low functionality . Is not that comfortable either , and in case of bad weather
, this is not a solution . I don’t think
you can make this work of art more ergonomic because of the low quality
and if you try to add other materials , you will change it completely ,
transforming the basic house in a more complex one .
How I
said before , design is not directly related with the functionality . Can be
some objects with a gorgeous design , but with no functionality . Or you can
see objects that lack in design and very ergonomic . The fact that design and
functionality are not related doesn’t mean that you can’t find a great work of
art , very ergonomic and with a great design . This proves that the art and
design can work together and in most of
the cases the results are tremendous .
This
trip made me see some objects through their functionality and to compare them
with others . Low functionality objects can be improved , and transformed in the most ergonomic object they can be ,
with or without a beautiful design .
Despite that , I will try to make my life easy and surround myself with objects that have high functionality .
High Functionality
Bibliotheque National de France , Paris - Grow
Bibliotheque National de France , Paris - Grow
Henri Labrouste Samuel Cabot Cochran;Benjamin Wheeler
Arhitecture Recycle and reclaimed materials
1868 2005
Low Functionality
Earthquake Proof Table - Basic House
Ido Bruno; Arthur Brutter ; Martin Ruiz de Azua
Steel and birch plywood Polyester
2010 1999
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